Very cold out but there is new life.
[#]rhubarb #gardening
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb Very nice! Mine is not looking like that yet! I'm trying to force it for the first time this year. Will see how that goes
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb I found some rhubarb coming up. Wondered about forcing it, then promptly forgot again! Is it too late to start now?
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@lionelb @helenclayton have you gut a forcing pot? Got one on spesh last year at Trebah gardens. It’s all terracotta and Monty Don… and surprisingly didn’t break on the way home…
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb I don’t know…quite possible there’s one knocking about in the garden (I’m finding all sorts of things now that the foliage has died back). How tall are they?
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@lionelb @helenclayton mines about thigh height I think? I’ve no idea how they are supposed to be used tbh. I just put it over my rhubarb crown in about November hoping that might do it!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb hmm don’t recall seeing anything like that but will double check.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@lionelb @helenclayton well otherwise an old box or something might do it? I have no idea how special this forced rhubarb is sposed to be. I mean the emperor might be naked here 😀😀😀
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb I’ve certainly bought forced rhubarb before and it was incredible in a cake.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@lionelb @helenclayton ok - not so naked! Well here’s hoping mine decides to come thru. Rhubarb cake sounds ace. Might try…
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb it was really pink, almost translucent, and tender. I think it was a Nigella recipe - rhubarb polenta cake - great warm as a pudding with cream or custard, or cold as cake!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @lionelb I mean! Stoppit now! I’m in a dodgy little flat for work in Zurich, couldn’t be arsed to go shopping today and therefore had leftovers-omelette for tea. Rhubarb polenta cake sounds excellent right now 😀😀
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb it’s in the How to be a Domestic Goddess book but I’ve just found it online here…definitely looks better with the forced rhubarb.
http://trufflebird.blogspot.com/2008/03/nigellas-rhubarb-cornmeal-cake.html?m=1
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @lionelb I’ve book marked that: will be a few weeks yet but does sound great! Thanks…
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @helenclayton
Forced is gloriously sweet. Though my grandmother used it green without sugar to make pies and that was heavenly. Sucked in your cheeks.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@JimmyB @helenclayton
A black plastic bin liner and some sticks would keep the light out.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @JimmyB I’ve just looked at the special pots…super fancy! I’m pretty sure I can find something knocking around in the garden this time. I’ll try and do that tomorrow lunchtime if I can.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @lionelb just got the weekly email from the local auction house and was looking to see if they’ve got one as an eg - they sometimes do - but not this week.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb I have just rigged up something that is so Heath Robinson my dad would have been proud 😂. I found an old iron frame - maybe a plant stand - put that over the rhubarb crowns then covered it in a double layer of bin bags. The bin bags didn’t reach to the ground though so I’ve wrapped some thick agricultural fabric (spare from log store cover) around the sides and put a bit of slate on the top for good measure 😂. Monty Don it isn’t. A couple of crowns wouldn’t fit inside either.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton
Way to go!
@lionelb
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB
It will work a treat. The rhubarb will taste just the same.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @JimmyB but how long before I can take a peek?! I haven’t put any mulch down either. Should I have?
The crowns outside the ‘tent’ can be my control I guess.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB
That seems sensible. Needs a bit more warmth yet.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@helenclayton
They are hungry I think. If you've got anything to feed them with, I believe they respond well... And love the idea of a control!!!
@lionelb
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @helenclayton
My grandfather used to sprinkle chimney soot around them. I am absolutely not advocating that. Horribly toxic. But interesting.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @JimmyB I’ve got plenty of wood ash.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB
Soot is highly acidic. Wood ash is safe but highly alkaline.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @JimmyB I see a lot of mixed views on using it in the garden. Currently I don’t and keeping a separate pile by the compost bins.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton
Soft fruit can use it, I think. I have added it to my gooseberries but that wouldn't be an advert...they're rubbish and the bull finches get the flowerbuds most years...
@lionelb
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb we have soft fruit bushes of some sort. I don’t know what yet.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB @lionelb
This whole thread is fascinating to me because my rhubarb won't make an appearance for months (April) and I have no idea what the forcing is about? Longer stems?
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from IcooIey@mastodon.green
@IcooIey @helenclayton @JimmyB
Red, thin stems that are sweet.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @helenclayton @JimmyB
Learning something new!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from IcooIey@mastodon.green
@IcooIey @JimmyB @lionelb I definitely have rhubarb stems appearing so hopefully I haven’t left it too late.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton
Reckon you'll be fine! You're just starving them of light...
@IcooIey @lionelb
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB @lionelb
Wow mine are under ground under 4 inches of snow and it’s -6 °C.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from IcooIey@mastodon.green
@lionelb @IcooIey @helenclayton ah well - you live the arctic… the schools get closed and everyone goes home from work if we have the threat of snowflakes. Not kidding
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb @helenclayton
Yes, we have all seven seasons here. Winter, mud I , spring, summer, heat dome, autumn, mud II. Winter has two modes: bleak and sparkly. Currently in sparkly mode.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from IcooIey@mastodon.green
@IcooIey @JimmyB @lionelb proof of rhubarb!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@IcooIey @helenclayton @JimmyB @lionelb Forced rhubarb is earlier, a delicate pink and far less acidic than later rhubarb. I used to use it to make a lovely tart a bit like a Bakewell but with rhubarb. My sister used forced rhubarb to make rhubarb gin. Don’t mistake me for any kind of expert though. My mum had a lovely old terracotta rhubarb forcing pot.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from Sarah111well@mas.to
@IcooIey @lionelb @Sarah111well @helenclayton I got one of those terracotta forcing pots last year - trying it now for the first time. Like so much in my garden I have absolutely no idea what it’s going to do…
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @IcooIey @lionelb @Sarah111well I did read that you shouldn’t force it two years running, so hoping the previous owners didn’t do it last year.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @Sarah111well @IcooIey @lionelb oh! We’re all education here today! I love this: Mastodon can be ace sometimes. We’ve got a fella who clearly knows all about it, some folks who’ve sort of heard of it (I’m in that group) some ‘what is it - never heard of it’ here in this thread. And all except the first (sorry @Lionelb ) are going to learn some useful stuff!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB @IcooIey @Sarah111well
You are leaving some unforced, which will bulk up.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@helenclayton
That's a great journey of discovery tho! I inherited what I thought was a blackcurrant. Turned out to be non fruiting (and therefore... compost material)...
@lionelb
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @lionelb there are lots of what look like fruit bushes about. I could ask my neighbours to help identify them - veg farm on one side and smallholders on the other, both with fruit bushes - or wait to see what appears!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton
I love the wait and see option! I mean - the possibilities are not unmlimited, but still. Could be fantastic.
@lionelb
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from JimmyB@mas.to
@JimmyB @helenclayton
Lid on to start, then remove as it fills.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@helenclayton @JimmyB @lionelb joined this conversation really late but any deep bucket or trug will do.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from Janet_52square@sunny.garden
@Janet_52square @JimmyB @lionelb I rigged something up so we’ll see!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@JimmyB @helenclayton
Or an old tin bucket with a hole in it.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @JimmyB does it have to be tin? There are buckets and big plastic plant pots lying around the place.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to
@helenclayton @JimmyB
If dark yes. But needs to be big. Around 70cm high.
In sheds, rhubarb grows so fast it creaks.
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from lionelb@expressional.social
@lionelb @JimmyB I just bought a galvanised bin for the bird food…maybe I need another!
=> More informations about this toot | More toots from helenclayton@mas.to This content has been proxied by September (3851b).Proxy Information
text/gemini